Motor Vehicle Pursuit

Marlborough, New Hampshire – On February 18, 2023, at approximately 1:13 AM Troopers from the New Hampshire State Police Troop C Barracks were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a residence in Marlborough. It was reported that a subject on scene was intoxicated and damaged property before leaving the residence, prior to the arrival of responding troopers. Once on scene, troopers determined that the subject had damaged property in excess of $1,500.00 and a BOL (be on the lookout) for the subject was issued to neighboring agencies.

At approximately 2:36 AM, Trooper Troy Couillard of Troop C was on Route 101 in Peterborough and located the vehicle from the earlier Marlborough incident. Trooper Couillard attempted to stop the vehicle, but the operator failed to stop, and a motor vehicle pursuit was initiated. The vehicle continued further into Peterborough where officers from the Peterborough Police Department were able to successfully deploy stop sticks and deflate the two front tires. Despite the two front tires being deflated, the vehicle continued to flee from law enforcement and onto multiple back roads into Temple. The vehicle eventually turned down a driveway onto a dead-end road and the pursuit came to an end when the operator was taken into custody without further incident. The operator was identified as Mark Descoteaux, Age: 33, Pepperell, MA.

Descoteaux was arrested and transported to the Cheshire County House of Corrections and processed on the following charges:

1. Criminal Mischief
2. Breach of Bail
3. Disobeying an Officer
4. Driving While Intoxicated
5. Reckless Operation
6. Operating After Suspension (subsequent)
7. Possession of Controlled Drugs

Descoteaux was released on personal recognizance bail for the driving offenses and scheduled to appear in Jaffrey District court on February 28, 2023. Descoteaux was held without bail for criminal mischief and is scheduled to be arraigned in Cheshire Superior Court on February 21, 2023.

Troop C was assisted by troopers from the Troop B Barracks and the Peterborough Police Department.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact Trooper Troy Couillard at Troy.J.Couillard@dos.nh.gov or Trooper Robert Stevens at Robert.J.Stevens@dos.nh.gov or by phone at (603) 223-4381.